Shaun and Linda Gillilland are this year’s recipients of the Hugh Hammond Bennett National Producer Award for Conservation Excellence for their tremendous contributions and efforts on their North Country farm. 

The award honors the legacy of agricultural innovator Hugh Hammond Bennett, who served as the inaugural Chief of the Soil Conservation Service, now known as the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Bennett spearheaded modern soil conservation, particularly in aiding farmers in their recovery from the devastating Dust Bowl of the 1930s and was instrumental in the founding of the agency 90 years ago this month.  

“The Natural Resources Conservation Service is proud to work with Shaun and Linda in their efforts to protect and conserve the land. The Gillilland family's hard work and dedication to conservation will allow their farming operation to be successful for generations to come,” stated Blake Glover, State Conservationist for NRCS in New York . 

For such accomplished producers, they spent much of their lives far from the farm. Shaun served in the Navy for 25 years, in postings around the world. In 2005, Shaun retired, and they decided to set down roots and try farming. Ultimately, they settled on a 495-acre farm along the Bouquet River in Essex County, New York, purchased from their friend and mentor, Ben Wever.  

Not content to take the money and run, Ben stayed around to help them learn the workings of the farm and develop their vision. Shaun expressed gratitude for his guidance, "We learned everything that we possibly could from Ben, and he slowly began to step back." In his honor, they kept the name Ben Wever Farm.  

Once they became more comfortable running their operation, they were eager to explore different agricultural practices while caring for the land. The Bouquet River is a vital habitat for a variety of plant and animal species, including endangered mussels and landlocked Atlantic salmon.

The couple began connecting with various organizations, including the Essex County Soil and Water Conservation District and the local NRCS office. Shaun’s first encounter was with NRCS Soil Conservationist Allison Holmes. Their main operation is grassfed beef, so their initial discussions centered around silvopasture. That led to a continuing relationship and other projects, including a forest management plan through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), which helped guide implementation of forest management activities made possible through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).  These programs encourage participants to address priority resource concerns, improve, and conserve the quality and condition of natural resources in a comprehensive manner.  

“The CSP provided an excellent platform for the Gillillands to adopt some practices and enhancements to build upon their existing best management practices,” said Allison.  “As we continue to work with Shaun and Linda to meet their conservation goals, we will continue to adapt our conservation plans and strategies that allow them to continue their excellent stewardship efforts.” 

NRCS District Conservationist Tricia LaValley also expressed the joy of working with Shaun and Linda. “They represent the ideal producer every conservation planner aspires to collaborate with. Their approach is infused with positivity, extensive experience, and a genuine passion for their mission and vision. Together, they embody enthusiasm, determination, and resilience, dedicating their heart and soul to their farm.” 

Receiving this award means a lot to Shaun and Linda. Shaun remarked “I think it’s a testament that, you know, nobody is an island. It takes a village to build everything up. This means so much to our family and to our community as well.”  The next generation is already building on the success—their daughter Chauntel operates an equestrian business (CSG Horsemanship) on the property, which offers public riding lessons, training, and provides a special way for kids to connect with animals and the land.  

Shaun and Linda are dedicated and determined to adapt and be open to new ideas and find ways to enhance their farm.  

 “I think that when you do something well, there’s going to be other people who are going to want to do that same thing,” Linda said. “The sense of competition is tough. We are all working for the same audience locally, the same population, so we are constantly having to innovate.” The Ben Wever Farm is a unique farm located in the North Country, run by a family with a passion for farming and conservation. Not content to rest on their laurels after winning such a prestigious award, Shaun and Linda plan on continuing to find new practices and ways to enhance their land for years to come.